King: Gulfstream pick four play for Saturday, Jan. 21

With Awesome Slew appearing a standout in the Sunshine Millions Classic, the last race Saturday at Gulfstream, the late pick four strategy is focused around him, and I’ll take a few shots in the three races that kick off the wager. So let’s take a look at the sequence, beginning with race 9, and compile a ticket.

Race 9

India Mantuana (8) is likely to be overlooked in this turf allowance despite a recent second in a stakes race, because she is a former claimer and doesn’t have the high-profile connections of some other fillies in the race. But if one focuses strictly on her two-turn grass efforts, she fits quite nicely, with two wins and a second and a third in stakes.

I will use her with French invader What’s In A Kiss (7), who looks classy but a short price, and Gentle Kitten (10), who has shown steady improvement, topped by a good-looking maiden victory.

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Race 10

Another allowance is up next in race 10, and My Girl Corey (6) seems a probable winner, albeit at a short price. She is a must-use, but I will also throw True Pleasure (9) and Melody Girl (8) into the wagering mix, knowing both horses will offer greater wagering value.

Race 11

Reporting Star (2), a close fourth in his comeback race in the El Prado Stakes, gets class relief with the move to face statebred opposition and rates on top. He ran second in this race last year against a seemingly better field before winning a Grade 3 stakes a start later.

His overall form coming into last winter was superior to his current form, and as a result I also want to use Go Around (8) and Enterprising (6). Go Around was only a half-length behind Reporting Star when fifth in the El Prado, and Enterprising is a stakes winner who is returned to his preferred surface on turf after a third in a stakes race on Polytrack at Turfway.

Race 12

Graded winner Awesome Slew (8) just chased Stanford and Keen Ice in the Harlan’s Holiday and did well to be third in his first start over the Gulfstream track. Quite simply, he wins if he maintains his form.

The ticket

A 50-cent pick four ticket of 7, 8, 10 with 6, 8, 9 with 2, 6, 8 with 8 costs $13.50.